15 things Detroiters stubbornly insist on calling by the wrong name

By Metro Times Staff

Metro Detroiters are a special people. We have an undeniable nasal accent and we can't keep ourselves from saying "ope" every time we bump into someone. But, most notably, we tend to call things by a name that's just plain wrong. Pine Knob might be the most notable example of this phenomenon, but there are plenty more where that came from.

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DTE Energy Music Theatre vs. Pine Knob
It has been 17 years since Palace Sports and Entertainment announced that Pine Knob Music Theater would be renamed DTE Energy Music Theatre. One of the early Michigan venue’s to fall victim to gross corporate renaming, the 46-year-old music haven was originally named for its close proximity to the ski and golf area of the same name. Needless to say, we’ll see you at “The Knob.”
Photo by Marc Nader

The Fillmore vs. The State Theatre
When it was built in 1925, what we now refer to as The Fillmore, was called The State Theatre. It was renamed the Palms-State Theatre in ‘37 and shortened to Palms Theatre in ‘49. It wasn’t until ‘82 that it switched back to the State until 2007 when it procured the Fillmore name. Call it what you want, but you probably saw your favorite concert at The State and so it shall be The State forever.
Photo via Wikipedia

Downtown Detroit vs. Midtown/New Center/Eastern Market/Corktown
Suburbanites might be the most guilty of this particular sin. We tend to lump all of the 7.2 square miles that include downtown, Midtown, New Center, Corktown, and Eastern Market under the umbrella term "downtown Detroit." The simple fact is that these neighborhoods each have border and an exciting vibe that is all their own.
Photo via Shutterstock

DEMF vs. Movement
It's been more than a decade since the Paxahau crew took over the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, but we can't seem to bring ourselves to call it by its new name — Movement. A more egregious sin we've overheard regarding this annual electronic music festival's name: tech fest.
MT file photo

GMRenCen vs. Renaissance Center
The towering complex of buildings located just off the river in downtown Detroit is not in fact called the Renaissance Center. I know, you're mind it blown right now. In 2015, it was renamed The GMRenCen, but literally no one calls it that.
Photo via Shutterstock

Lahser vs. "Lasher"
It's pronounced "la-sir," not "lash-er."

Hydrofest vs. The Gold Cup
Since 1916, the Detroit River hosted the American Power Boat Association hydroplane races. Sometimes, these races have been known as the Gold Cup, named after the oldest active motorsports trophy. This changed in 2015, when the event — and the eponymous trophy — was moved to Tri-Cities, Washington. A hydroplane race remained in Detroit, but it was renamed Hydrofest. This year, Hydrofest will once again be held in Detroit, where racers are set to once again compete for the Gold Cup. Capice?
Photo by Jordan Buzzy

MacArthur Bridge vs. Belle Isle Bridge
Did you have any idea the Belle Isle bridge actually had an official name? It's the MacArthur Bridge, but we're quite certain no one knows that. When it was originally constructed, it was called the George Washington Bridge, but it was later changed to MacArthur, which really doesn't matter because everyone calls it the Belle Isle bridge.
Photo by Brian Day.

Monroe Street Fair vs. Hash Bash
Few people know that Ann Arbor's absolutely enormous celebration of all things marijuana is actually called the Monroe Street Fair. Hash Bash does seem more appropriate though.
Photo by Miss Shela

Liquor store vs. party store In Michigan, when we say we’re going to the “party store,” we’re not going to pick up balloons and streamers. What we really mean is that we’re going to the “corner store” to pick up some booze, snacks, and maybe a lottery ticket.
Photo by Ana Gavrilovska